In past articles, I have mentioned the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee (MVCC), but I want to remind those who may remember it and introduce it to those who have never heard of it. 

Maine is unique when it comes to its veteran population. About 7% of Mainers are veterans, putting Maine fifth among the states in the percentage of veterans in its population. Only Alaska, Virginia, Montana and Wyoming rank higher. Yet, unlike several of those states, Maine has a relatively small military presence, with Portsmouth Naval Shipyard being the state’s only major active-duty installation. 

Fortunately, Maine has a strong VA presence through the Togus VA Medical Center. Togus is currently rated four out of five stars by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), compared with a national average of 3.1 stars. It has also earned CMS’s highest five-star rating for overall quality and patient satisfaction. 

But what I believe makes Maine truly unique is the communication among veterans, the VA, state agencies and our elected officials. 

The VA conducts Veterans Expos four times a year around the state. In June, one was held here at the Railroad Village Museum. These events provide veterans an opportunity to ask questions, learn about available services and, importantly, make their concerns known. 

That is where the MVCC comes in.  The committee was created decades ago by the Maine Legislature to provide a single place where state officials could receive input from Maine’s veterans on proposed legislation. Originally, it consisted of the leaders of the state’s major veterans service organizations.  Over time, the MVCC evolved into an information-sharing organization serving Maine veterans, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services and the VA. Meetings include the directors of the VA medical center and VA benefits programs, the director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, the president and CEO of Maine Veterans’ Homes, representatives of Maine’s congressional delegation and leaders of veterans’ service organizations. 

Most importantly, all veterans are welcome. 

The MVCC meets the first Monday of each month at 3 p.m. by Zoom, with a summer break.  

Togus may receive high marks for patient satisfaction, but I suspect many veterans reading this will say, “Yes…but.” That “but” is important. The VA needs to know what that “but” is so problems can be addressed. 

Sometimes the VA cannot fix an issue because of federal law or regulations. When that happens, we turn to our congressional delegation and say, in effect, “Tell your boss to fix it.” 

The MVCC will resume its meetings on Sept. 14 at 3 p.m.  Almost daily I hear from veterans or veteran spouses looking for help.  Attending the VA Expos and/or attending the ZOOM meetings would significantly help veterans learn about the help they have earned.  The Zoom link will be available through Maine Veterans in Need at www.maineveteransinneed.org, or you can contact me directly. I serve as the Zoom host for the meeting. 

Your voice matters. The MVCC is one place where that voice can be heard.